Fresh Fiction Blog | Grace Burrowes | Nightmares into Fairy Tales

As a kid, I shared a bedroom with three siblings. The other three wanted the hall light turned off at night, I wanted it kept on because I was afraid of the dark. The solution was for me to lie awake every night until the other three fell asleep, then go turn the stinkin’ thing on.

I was that afraid of the dark. In fact, I slept with a light on well into adulthood.

I used to say I had a wonderful imagination for terrible things. Growing up, we didn’t have a TV until I was well into school age, and then the rule was no TV on school nights. This was a good thing on general principles, most especially because “Lost In Space” and “Dark Shadows” kept me sufficiently terrified. There is no telling what I would have done with “Twilight Zone” re-runs or late night helpings of “Creature Feature Theatre.” I knew I shouldn’t watch those shows, but again, one TV, six siblings, and most of them older than me…

So I spent a lot of nights being afraid of the tree branch shadows on the bedroom curtains. They looked like dinosaurs and demons… I was afraid of the squirrels and mice playing in the heating ducts, because their little claws would make ominous, skittery, clicking sounds, and I only had my mother’s word for the fact that it was mice. A mom at bed time is not the most disinterested source of information.

I was afraid of the cold tile floor of my bedroom, afraid it wouldn’t be there when I ventured my bare toes out of bed when I really, really had to pee. I was afraid of the closets, and under my bed, and yes, once my brother did hide under my bed and reach out and grab my ankle.

Talk about lingering trauma.

I did not understand that imagination can be coaxed in positive directions. I learned this over a period of decades, slowly, and by trial and error. Instead of the flimsy underpinning of my conscious mind, a floor that can give way to anxiety and fretting, I now view my imagination as a lifeline that lets me climb above the immediate here and now, to swoop and soar through all manner of ideas and notions, passing the ones I don’t fancy, and grabbing onto the ones I do. It’s the same tool, the ability to think creatively, but I have learned to enjoy it, rather than be imprisoned by it.

And this is encouraging to me. If anybody had told me as a child that the same ability to work an idea at length in my head, to what-if, and how-about for hours on end would eventually give me great pleasure, and help me generate multiple happily ever afters, I would not have believed them. I dreaded the dark, and was certain the only relief to be had was in gaining enough authority over my life to keep a light on all night, every night.

I turn out the lights now, roll over, and go to sleep. And if I can’t sleep, I get to thinking about my work in progress, or the one that wants to crowd in on the heels of my work in progress, and I happily drift away.

While the mice—I certainly hope they’re mice—play in the heating ducts.

THE HEIR BY GRACE BURROWES – IN STORES DECEMBER 2010

An Earl Who Can’t Be Bribed…

Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the Duke of Moreland. To escape his father’s inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper.

A Lady Who Can’t Be Protected…

Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle that she works as his housekeeper.

As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna’s secrets threaten to bring the earl’s orderly life crashing down—and he doesn’t know how he’s going to protect her from the fallout…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Burrowes is the pen name for a prolific author of historical romances whose manuscripts have so far won, finaled, or garnered honorable mention in Romance Writers of America-run contests in Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, and Florida. Burrowes is a practicing attorney specializing in family law. She lives in rural Maryland and is working on her next book, THE SOLDIER, set to release in July 2011.

Comments

Sounds like a book I MUST read.By the way the mice in the heating duct may just be your Angel on Guard keeping watch.I had some of the same nightfears when I was young...lol.Have a wonderful Holiday.
(Debra McDonald 8:25pm December 15, 2010)

Another regular person becomes a duchess. I love these types of stories.
(Sandra Dickey 12:59pm December 16, 2010)

I love to read historical romances. Hope I win it.
(Barbara Nolan 1:42am December 16, 2010)

It is thrilling to know that you were able to take all of those childhood fears and create wonderful books that help you venture into those memories.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:32am December 16, 2010)

I remember reading James Herberts 'Rates' at age 10. When I got to the part with rats under the beds I walked along my bed and leaned across to turn off the light - no way was I putting my foot on the floor. Then I layed there for ages listening for sounds in case the rats came out!
This book sounds great.
(Barbara Hanson 8:48am December 16, 2010)

Looks like a great story.

I shared a room with my sister and took great fun in scaring her....she was always so scared....um....guess I was a bit like your siblings...hehe!!!

Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 10:00am December 16, 2010)

My mom wouldn't let me have a night light growing up.

I have one now!

Would really like to win this one.
(Cynthia Netherton 10:15am December 16, 2010)

Yes, my 3 big brothers and 2 big sister did the same to me. I
guess being the youngest not always fun, until now that you
can just look younger then them (smile) Thank yo for the
chance to win and have a great Holiday.
(Cynthia Plaza-Harney 10:17am December 16, 2010)

A man that stands up for what he believes in and loves is a book that i would not be able to put down. plus a woman that has no status but works her way into his heart, now that is true love for you.
(Anthonia Sharp 10:48am December 16, 2010)

Historical romances are my favorite. Sometimes I think I should have been born in the era of Dukes and Duchesses, had a season in London, lived in a castle. I would love the opportunity to win your book. Thank you.
(Crystal Brittain 11:02am December 16, 2010)

The Heir sounds fascinating. I love being "surprised" when reading historical romance and don't want to figure everything out by the end of the first chapter. The Heir definately sounds like a book that is going to be a "stay up all night" read(this way you also have an excuse for keeping the lights on).
(Jeanne Miro 11:45am December 16, 2010)

I was always afraid of the basement when I was young---I still don't like to go down there when we first come home on a dark night.
(Sue Farrell 11:52am December 16, 2010)

Hmmm...a heroine with a secret and a hero avoiding marriage. Sounds fun!
(G. Bisbjerg 11:55am December 16, 2010)

Sounds like a good hread. I used to watch Shock Theatre which was on late Saturday nights on a few occasions with my Dad. It was so scary.... Happy Holidays
(Vikki Parman 12:06pm December 16, 2010)

I always like to think that people with imaginations like this were not only creative, but very intelligent. I had similiar fears as a child. I would love to read your book.
(Debbie Penny 12:10pm December 16, 2010)

I don't know about intelligent, but my mind is certainly active, and it's wonderful to have a positive direction for all that mental energy. My older brother will probably say my creativity is thanks to him, and his willingness to lurk under my bed on cold, dark nights.
(Grace Burrowes 12:18pm December 16, 2010)

I don't do basements or attics if I'm by myself as I've always
figured if I was the bad guy, those would be the places to
hide. Nothing I enjoy more than a historical romance, throw in
a few secrets and you got got me hooked.
(Lisa Richards 12:18pm December 16, 2010)

still sleep with a night light and i'm 55 years old
(Natalie Kozaczka 12:30pm December 16, 2010)

Historical novels are wonderful! Goood for you.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 12:35pm December 16, 2010)

I well remember the childhood night-time ritual of trying to fall asleep while watching the reflection of every car's headlights as they moved around the walls in the room I shared with my sister!I was never truly afraid of the dark because my true fear was - MICE! There were no mice in the house, but on the farm where I grew up, mice were in every barn, every grain silo, and I was convinced, just waiting to get me!
(Marguerite Guinn 12:44pm December 16, 2010)

As a kid--and an adult--I've never been fond of horror or psychologically frightening books. Nor do I watch any program with blood and gore, even medical shows. So whenever I kept the light on after no longer sharing a room with my little brother, it was only ever because I was reading, sometimes with the lamp under my bed covers, but I've sometimes been frightened by unexplained noises, like what my landlord described as gurgling in the water heating system, and I kept saying were mice. It actually turned out to be rats, which nibbled on numerous books of mine and destroyed some of them completely. Of course, I got no restitution.

I love history and historical novels and romances. This one sounds like a winner.
(Sigrun Schulz 12:46pm December 16, 2010)

Historical romances are my absolute favorites! Give me an Earl, a Duke, and especially a RAKE any day! I would love to be a winner!
(Pamela Stewart 1:27pm December 16, 2010)

Hi, Grace! Your story is very interesting and one I can identify with. I was always sleeping with my head under the covers so that none of the monsters could see me if they did come in the dark since my dad refused to let me have a night light asnd insisted I sleep with my bedroom door closed. I think I was most afraid of the upstairs, basement, and my closet. Lol! I also never liked seeing horror stories and still don't to this day.

It's wonderful that you can take those fears and put them into creativity.

The Heir sounds like my kind of book. A working woman with secrets who ends up becoming a Countess.

Thanks for this chance to win.
(Cathy Phillips 1:40pm December 16, 2010)

Sounds really interesting... have to add your name to my list of authors to try...
Happy Holidays!
(Colleen Conklin 2:20pm December 16, 2010)

ha i had the same fears growing up. almost exactly the same ones. I uh keep the bathroom light on still upstairs but i say it's cause the kids need it not me. lol I also tunr my radio on to block on all that freaky night noises so i can get to sleep. At least as a kid i had a sister to sleep with if i was really scared.

Book sounds awesome!

Lisa B
(Lisa Boggs 3:21pm December 16, 2010)

Thanks for a great column. Congrats on the new book release.
(G S Moch 4:29pm December 16, 2010)

When I turned in this blog, I had no idea anybody else was EVER afraid of the dark, the rats, the mice, the whatever. It's heartening to think I'm not the only one who has to respect Stephen King from a safe, well lit, distance.
(Grace Burrowes 4:37pm December 16, 2010)

Congrats on your debut release, Grace. Looking forward to reading "The Heir."
(Jane Cheung 4:40pm December 16, 2010)

Love the cover and would love a copy. Tks.
(Clio Teixeira 4:51pm December 16, 2010)

sounds like my kind of book! Keep up the good work!
(Diane Sallans 8:08pm December 16, 2010)

I still have a night light. The Heir looks awesome. Can't wait to read it.
(Joelle Beebe 9:25pm December 16, 2010)

So glad to see that you were able to turn your fear into something so positive!!
(Cindy Lacey 10:04pm December 16, 2010)

I think the worst thing my sisters and I did was when we were little, we started a game of make-believe that the people in the pictures were watching us. Sometime later, we have spooked ourselves into staying in the bathroom (that is the only room beside the kitchen that have no pictures hanging on the walls) until our parents came home. We have scared ourselves so badly, that we wouldn't venture out of the bathroom until our parents were in the house.
(Kai Wong 10:16pm December 16, 2010)

This sounds like it will be a great book!
(Robin Daily 10:18pm December 16, 2010)

Kai, you need to DO something with that premise. It's too creative not to become some sort of off-beat paranormal, where everybody watching their TV was a picture on the wall of the TV people's houses and so on.
(Grace Burrowes 10:19pm December 16, 2010)

I'm always surprised at the clever ways authors turn around impossible
situations into a HEA ending. This one one sounds so good!
(Sue Ahn 11:32pm December 16, 2010)

This looks like a book with plenty of action and I want to step in and be mingling with the characters. About the fear of the dark, it's something I outgrew years ago.
(Alyson Widen 12:03pm December 17, 2010)

It sounds like the both of us had our bouts of things that scared us at night as kids. I was afraid of the dark as well, and used to sleep with a night light. Fortunately, I only had to sleep with one of two sisters, so it wasn't bad. My oldest sister, who slept in another room, was the one who liked to scare us. As for tv, it was watching Frankenstein for the first time that really freaked me out and gave me nightmares!! To this day, I do not watch scary movies, although I have watched Frankenstein to see what scared me so much at 5 years old. The preview of your book sounded so quaint, if I may use the expression, and I am anxious to read it. I loved the expression you used for their passion. Have a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!!
(Peggy Roberson 12:06pm December 17, 2010)

I can't imagine that kind of fear. I lived with 6 siblings & 2 parents & the house was alive with noise until I fell asleep. Very comforting.
(Mary Preston 3:22am December 17, 2010)

I'd say we were related...via scary siblings... my sister convinced me that there was an allegator that only came out at night from under my trundlebed... what a stinker!! But I still love her -- but sure was glad when I outgrew the trundle bed!
(Cate Sparks 5:42am December 17, 2010)

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